DEFENSE: A
Nebraska was tremendous defensively, holding Minnesota to 38% from the field and just 51 points.
And even though the Gophers left a number of "gimme's" at the foul line, MU's offensive rebounding in a lot of ways neutralized that, giving Minnesota several extra points (the Gophers had 14 offensive boards).
So really, its a "legit" 51 points allowed, is what I'm trying to say.
While Ray Gallegos was quiet offensively in this one, I think he deserves a lot of praise for his work defensively. I haven't seen him go that hard on "D" all season.
Also, our Player of the Game is just that because of his work defensively, Andre Almeida. Sure, the pick and roll got him a few times and sure, Trevor Mbakwe took it at him from time to time, but without Almeida stepping up for Ubel in the first half and Shields in the second, there is no way in hell we win this game. He is our Player of the Game, which I'm sure will cause debate, but since the majority here don't want shared Player of the Game's anymore, I can't do Ubel and Almeida. I'm giving it to Almeida, because he BY FAR exceeded expectations tonight.
REBOUNDING: A+
For an undersized and underathletic Nebraska team to TIE Minnesota on the boards (34 to 34) is impressive.
For NU to do it in foul trouble, and without the services of David Rivers and Shields in the clutch, and Ubel in the first half, is incredible.
OUTSTANDING JOB by NU tonight, outside of the four offensive boards off of free throws and 14 overall.
BTW, kind of sad that Talley had the best box out of the night, allowing Rivers to grab a defensive rebound off of a free throw late in the second half. Talley shows 'em how its done and is the MVP of this team.
BALL HANDLING: B
Even though the phantom 5 second call was complete BS and 3.5 seconds, tops, you CAN'T let that happen with two timeouts. Awful play.
Also, some unforced turnovers by Ubel throughout the game hurt.
Overall though, 10 turnovers, you can live with it!
COACHING: B+
Two minor complaints about coach tonight.
1. You have TWO TIMEOUTS - use one on the Benny Parker possession with a minute left, when there were 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, seconds and he had nowhere to go. Right in front of you, in a 3 point game, call a timeout.
2. You have TWO TIMEOUTS - use one after the phantom 5 second call. I think you HAVE to foul Minnesota there once Mbakwe has the ball until 5.0 seconds left - foul him. You certainly can't allow a wide open three that would have sent it to OT, where we would have lost by 4-6 points. At least call a "TO" and think about it. I didn't like not using one there, at all.
Otherwise, Miles milked 40 minutes of his team, which scratched and clawed its way to a win. Gritted its teeth. Grinded it out. He got the game to the 40 minute mark by the skin of his teeth, barely having any players left.
He made a nice adjustment to go into the "2/3 zone", though it didn't end up working. Nice call, however.
Great call to get Gallegos and Talley some wide opens jumpers out of timeouts and half.
I love our head man - just didn't like his game management at the very end.
OVERALL GRADE: A
That is Nebraska's "signature win" for the season, and a TREMENDOUS WAY to send the "Bob" out. As that final three pointer went up by Minnesota, that would have tied things, in the past, you feel like it would have gone.
But somewhere in the rafters of that building, NU had the ghosts of its past around, and smiling down one final time. It was as if there was no way NU would lose its final game in that building.
I like to think that somewhere, Jack Moore was watching, and maybe, just maybe, he got a finger tip on that shot.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: ANDRE ALMEIDA
2012-2013 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS:
RAY GALLEGOS - 10
DYLAN TALLEY - 10
BRANDON UBEL - 5
SHAVON SHIELDS - 4
DAVID RIVERS - 3
ANDRE ALMEIDA - 1
JORDAN TYRANCE - 1
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